Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has launched a strong counter-offensive against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the saffron party of hypocrisy regarding the recent cabinet reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir. Choudhary specifically addressed the BJP’s criticism of the National Conference (NC) for the removal of former minister Satish Sharma, highlighting past instances where the BJP allegedly branded him and Sharma as “traitors of Jammu.”
Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Choudhary expressed his disappointment over Satish Sharma’s exclusion from the Council of Ministers, noting that Sharma, an Independent MLA from the Chhamb constituency, had been a colleague until recently. However, he voiced surprise at the BJP’s apparent concern for Sharma, recalling that the same party had previously referred to Sharma as “Satish Abdullah” and himself as “Surinder Abdullah.” Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the BJP’s current stance is seen by Choudhary as a political maneuver, given their alleged past efforts to politically damage both him and Sharma, even labeling them “Jaichands,” a term often associated with betrayal.
Choudhary questioned the BJP’s motives, asking why the party was now expressing objections to Sharma’s removal when they had allegedly been instrumental in trying to have both Sharma and Choudhary dropped from government positions. He asserted that the National Conference had appointed him, a Hindu, to the significant position of Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, the second-highest office in the administration, thereby challenging the BJP’s narrative.
The Deputy Chief Minister also took aim at senior BJP leaders who had characterized the NC as a “Muslim Conference.” Choudhary challenged the BJP’s claims of adhering to secularism and inclusive governance, directly questioning their commitment to the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.” He posed a direct question to the BJP, asking whether they had appointed even a single Muslim individual to ministerial positions, including Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister, in any of the governments they currently lead across the country or at the central level.
Choudhary further challenged the BJP to justify their questioning of the NC’s credentials regarding representation, especially when the NC had elected Hindu representatives from the Jammu region and appointed him, a Jat, as Deputy Chief Minister. He emphasized that his Jat background did not diminish his Hindu or Dogra identity. He questioned the BJP’s definition of who constitutes a Hindu, asking if a Jat was not considered a Hindu. He also inquired which communities the BJP recognized as part of Sanatan Dharma, implying that the party’s definition might be exclusionary.
Choudhary stated his personal devotion to Vaishno Devi and his belief in Goddess Durga, underscoring his Hindu faith. He also raised questions about the BJP’s stance on Dogra identity. He recalled that the BJP had previously asserted that individuals in Jammu, regardless of their religious affiliation – Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or Christian – could all be considered Dogras. Therefore, he questioned why a Jat leader’s Hindu and Dogra identity was being subjected to scrutiny by the BJP.
The political discourse surrounding cabinet appointments and representation in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified, with leaders from various parties engaging in public debates about inclusivity and political fairness. The statements by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary reflect a broader political narrative where accusations of communal bias and selective representation are frequently exchanged between political rivals. The BJP’s criticism of the NC’s cabinet choices, particularly concerning the exclusion of a Hindu leader from Jammu, has opened a new front in the ongoing political contestation within the Union Territory. Choudhary’s response, however, attempts to shift the focus by highlighting the BJP’s own record on minority representation and by questioning their past actions and rhetoric towards him and other non-BJP leaders from Jammu.
The controversy also touches upon the complex interplay of regional, religious, and caste identities in Jammu and Kashmir politics. The Deputy Chief Minister’s assertion of his Hindu and Dogra identity, despite his Jat background, aims to counter any attempts to question his credentials or those of the NC based on perceived religious or ethnic affiliations. The reference to “Jaichands” and “Satish Abdullah” by Choudhary suggests a history of acrimonious political exchanges between the parties involved, with allegations of betrayal and political maneuvering being central to their interactions. The NC, by appointing Choudhary as Deputy Chief Minister, appears to be making a statement about its commitment to inclusive governance, a claim that the BJP is now challenging.
The BJP’s criticism, as reported, centers on the perceived underrepresentation of Hindu leaders from Jammu in the expanded cabinet. This criticism is often framed within the broader context of ensuring equitable representation for all communities within the Union Territory. However, Choudhary’s counter-arguments aim to expose what he perceives as a double standard in the BJP’s approach, pointing to the party’s own track record in appointing minority representatives to positions of power. The debate is likely to continue as political parties in Jammu and Kashmir vie for public support and seek to shape the narrative around governance and representation in the region.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.